More victims feared in Vic wall collapse

A TEENAGER sacrificed his own life by falling on his sister to try and save her when a wall collapsed on them in a Melbourne street, it's been reported.

Students Alexander and Bridget Jones were walking on Swanston Street in Carlton on Thursday when a section of brick wall collapsed on them.

Alexander, 19, was killed, while Bridget, 18, suffered critical injuries and is fighting for her life in hospital.

A man who cared for Bridget until the ambulance arrived told the Nine Network he believes Alexander's actions saved his sister's life.

"I personally believe that the young man who fell on her and subsequently died is the reason why the young lady is still alive," he said.

The Jones family have told the Nine Network they believe Alexander sacrificed his own life when put himself in harm's way to save his sister.

Alexander is a former Montmorency Secondary College school captain who spoke of becoming Prime Minister, according to reports.

Bridget has undergone surgery and remains in a critical condition in the Royal Melbourne Hospital.

Police believe there are more victims of the deadly wall collapse who had fled the scene out of fear before receiving treatment.

The wall collapsed as winds of up to 115km/h swept through the city.

North Melbourne resident Very Impressive, who changed his name by deed poll in 1992, said he rushed to help clear bricks after he heard the "almighty crash".

Mr Impressive said he used his jacket to Bridget warm her warm and spoke to her to try and keep her calm and aware of what was going on.

"We got more of the wall off them and we discovered there was a young man fallen against the young woman," he said.

Detective Senior Constable Brooke Manley said police want to speak to anyone who was injured in the incident, helped with the rescue or who saw it happen, including passengers on passing trams or people who recorded video footage.

"Our advice from the fire brigade is that there were other people injured," Det Manley said.

"Those people have left the scene through fear of remaining, being that they weren't entirely sure what the incident was, whether it was a wall collapsing or something on a larger scale."

Premier Denis Napthine said Planning Minister Matthew Guy would work with the building commission to examine similar walls around the state.

"It's been a free-standing wall for some time and we need to just make sure those sort of walls that are around Melbourne, around Victoria, are secure and safe," said Dr Napthine.

"This was a terrible, terrible, tragedy and we need to do everything we can to make sure it never happens again."

Eyewitnesses said a swarm of people desperately dug through bricks and rubble to help those trapped beneath when the wall collapsed about 3pm (AEDT).

The collapse occurred at the old Carlton & United brewery site, which is now a vacant building lot owned by construction company Grocon.